Jalapeno Bacon Macaroni and Cheese topped with Cheetos

I put Cheetos on my macaroni and cheese. Please don’t judge me. It wasn’t even my idea. A lovely reader whose name I have forgotten (I’m such a jerk, I know.) emailed and asked if I could replicate a recipe from some restaurant whose name I have forgotten (see previous parenthetical about my jerkiness) that was topped with Cheetos.

I was all over that job, you guys. Like, people email me and ask me to make ridiculous recipes and then I get to call that “work.”

“Sorry, honey, I can’t do the laundry. I’m working. On mac and cheese with Cheetos. I have to taste test it again. It’s my job.”

My life is so hard. Be thankful that you don’t have to be me, covered in orange cheese powder and bacon grease, with a mouthful of creamy, cheesy goodness.

I’m going to have to insist that y’all try this recipe. It’s a keeper. I only added 1 seeded jalapeno and couldn’t taste it at all. I’d bump it up to 2 or leave some seeds in for an extra kick, but I’m going to write the recipe as I made it. Just adjust to your liking! This also feeds a small army, so feel free to halve the recipe or plan to reheat the leftovers for lunch the next day.

Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the noodles according to package directions, removing them from the water 1 minute before the package states for al dente.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and butter a 2.5 quart baking dish.

In a large sauce pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the jalapeno and cook for one minute. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes or until flour has browned a bit.

Pour in the milk, cream, and salt and continue cooking, whisking constantly, for 3 minutes.

Slowly add the cheese a handful at a time, stirring to melt completely before each new addition.

When cheese is completely melted, add the bacon and drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to coat completely.

Pour the macaroni and cheese into the prepared baking dish and top with the crushed Cheetos.

Bake for 25 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

Jalapeno Bacon Macaroni and Cheese with Cheetos

Amount Per Serving

Calories 749Calories from Fat 441

% Daily Value*

Fat 49g75%

Saturated Fat 29g181%

Cholesterol 153mg51%

Sodium 800mg35%

Potassium 323mg9%

Carbohydrates 45g15%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 30g60%

Vitamin A 1485IU30%

Vitamin C 2.2mg3%

Calcium 691mg69%

Iron 1.3mg7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on bunsinmyoven.com should only be used as a general guideline.

originally posted on September 24, 2012, last updated on August 20, 2018

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30 comments

Normally I dont comment on savory posts – but this, I just HAD to click off my Reader for! Between the stunning opening pic (bravo!), the steam shot (hard!!), and the Cheetos topping <–YES! love them! I love this!

I have made salmon cake encrusted with Fritos, potato chips in cookies, and Combos pretzels into cereal bars, but never Cheetos anything. Must change that!

If I make this, can you guarantee my boyfriend will put a ring on it? Fo realz, this is insanity, woman. Cheetos, jalapenos and bacon. And look at all that CHEEEEESE. This needs to be in my belleh right now.

Let me see was that four of my favorite foods in one? Let me count, 1- jalapenos (yum), 2- bacon, (more yum), 3- mac & cheese (more more yum), 4- CHEETOS (more more more yum). Wow, did you just call yourself a jerk over a name, guess not. I’ll be making some of this yum yum delicious as soon as I can. Love your work, I mean (FUN).

OMG! I never imagined such a recipe. I don’t eat that sort of thing ( Cheetos) but the picture makes look so good– I may have to buy my first-ever bag of Cheetos. And I am 52. So “first ever” is saying something! Great photography and writing!